Student Achievement Honored During “Fantastic 49”

Students from Sand Creek High School, Skyview Middle School and Falcon High School were honored during “Fantastic 49” achievements ahead of a monthly board meeting May 12 in District 49.

Twelfth-grader Damar Taylor, 18, is a senior at Sand Creek High School. He is the recipient of Daniels Fund Scholarship, a "four-year annually-renewable college scholarship for graduating high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and a commitment to serving their communities.” He will apply the scholarship to further his education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, and plans to study biology or biochemistry. “I’m proud of the fact that you will be moving on and representing our district,” said Marie LaVere-Wright, board of education president. Damar looks forward to meeting students who share in his goal to improve the community and make a change in people’s daily lives. His advice to younger students? “Know that the sky isn’t the limit,” he said. “When there’s an opportunity for you, go after it.”

Seventh-grader Genesis Andino, 13, will attend the West Point STEM Workshop this summer in New York. The workshop offers middle school students “the opportunity to participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities taught by Academy faculty and cadet mentors.” Genesis is a student at Skyview Middle School, where she had the opportunity to attend a STEM camp at a local college. “I love science, so it’s definitely something I wanted to try,” she said. She enjoyed the experience so much that she sought out other STEM camps to attend. Her science teacher, Lindy Bachman, recommended the West Point STEM Workshop. “I feel its a very important thing for our children today to learn how to grow up in a 21st century world, no matter if they pursue a STEM field or not,” she said. “It’s going to be something that’s extremely important in today’s society.”

Twelfth-grader Caleb Jackson, 18, has been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy. He is one of six students at Falcon High School who received military appointments. Caleb plans to study sports medicine and biology. “The more I learned [about the academy], the more excited about it I got,” said Caleb. “Just going through the steps, it was just incredible.”

Twelfth-grader Dakota Nelson, 18, has been accepted into the United States Air Force Academy. He is one of six students at Falcon High School who received military appointments. “Dakota’s been one of my most stellar leaders in my Student-2-Student group,” said Greg Morris, counselor. Dakota plans to study aeronautical engineering.